Description
Higher education is experiencing tremendous pressure for improved rates of degree
completion to help the United States remain competitive in the global economy. Completion
has become a high priority for community colleges driven by a reform movement led by federal
and state policymakers, accreditors, foundations, businesses, and educators, intended to
dramatically increase the number of graduates from the nation’s colleges and universities. At
current rates of educational attainment, and as baby boomers retire, the pipeline of college
graduates will not be enough to meet future workforce skills demands. To help achieve current
and future U.S. labor market needs, community colleges are focusing on strategies to increase
the educational attainment level of adults. Conducting comprehensive curricular review of
academic programs is one approach to address the American skills gap by increasing degree
completion through the alignment of academic program to identified workforce needs.
This dissertation presents information and detailed implementation strategies for higher
education stakeholders to use in the alignment of academic programs with workforce needs.
With solid support, human and financial resources, and professional development efforts in
place, community colleges who use the Guide will be well-equipped to conduct comprehensive
program reviews, ensuring the pipeline of college graduates needed to meet demands for
America’s future workforce.
